Quaid Trophy takes a 37-day break

The Quaid-i-Azam Trophy National Grade-I Cricket Championship takes a break of 37 days because of the holy month of Ramazan and will resume on Jan 2 after Eid-ul-Fitr.

At the conclusion of the eighth round of matches on Saturday, it appears almost certain that the final of the championship will be played between Karachi Whites and Lahore Blues, who take the top two spots on the points table.

At least, Karachi Whites have virtually booked their place in the final after a six-wicket victory over Sargodha in a rain-hit match. Karachi Whites have open a 12-point lead over Lahore Blues.

Lahore Blues, on the other hand, have an excellent chance of going through because two of their remaining three games are at home (against Faisalabad and Bahawalpur at the LCCA Ground). Their away match is against Sheikhupura, who have lost seven matches and are placed 11th on the table after eight rounds.

Sheikhupura and the pointless - and winless - Karachi Blues are hot favourites to be relegated into Grade-II tournament next season.